Weddings, VIP, Special Services Manager

Wherever you are in the amazing world of Disney, you are contributing to the stories of our iconic brands, recognised by audiences everywhere for entertainment, information and inspiration. Innovation, imagination and inclusion are at the core of Disney, defining the experience that we deliver as well as providing the foundation of our success. The scope of our business, combined with global growth and collaboration result in an inclusive employee experience characterised by continuous learning, development and achievement.

About Signature Experiences

Disney Signature Experiences (DSE) is a segment of Disney Experiences offering family travel and leisure experiences beyond theme parks. The Group, Events & Services Team under DSE focuses on planning, executing and coordinating premier experiences for all contracted groups, marketing & media events, special services, VIPs and weddings for Disney Cruise Line and A&E.

About Disney Cruise Line

Since launching in 1998, Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has established itself as a leader in the cruise industry, providing a setting where families can reconnect, adults can recharge and children can experience all Disney has to offer. Today, the award-winning Disney Cruise Line continues to expand its blueprint for family cruising with a fleet of five ships — the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish — and eight more ships on the way by 2031. The Disney Cruise Line fleet sails to destinations in The Bahamas, the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, the South Pacific, and Australia and New Zealand. The Disney Adventure, setting sail in 2025, will be the first to home port in Singapore.

About the Role

This Weddings, VIP,  Special Services Manager position is responsible for building a strategic program, increasing sales and driving revenue for Disney Cruise Line Destination Weddings/Vow Renewals. It will also lead initiatives to plan, strategize and optimize the VIP Services product offerings that will influence and negotiate with all internal and external contacts, identify and assess risk in addition to making recommendations to partners.

There may be a need to flex across various teams within the Groups, Events & Services department that include Groups & Events and Marketing & Media. This is a high-capacity role that interacts directly with senior executives across the company, external leaders of businesses and high-profile celebrities.

This blended role will aim to promote the Disney Cruise Line Wedding brand and build relationships through an effective sales and service strategy. We ask that you have extensive networking, attending industry & association events, industry knowledge and understanding of a service-based sales strategy.

This role requires the person to be flexible in scheduling as necessary for a 7-day a week operation including days, weekends, nights and occasional travel.

Responsibilities:

• Build a strategic program, increasing sales and driving revenue for Disney Cruise Line Destination Weddings/Vow Renewals

• Drive decisions and influence strategy to maximize revenue for Disney Cruise Line and will work closely with Revenue Management, Sales, Marketing and Disney Fairytale Weddings partners

• Collaborate with business, finance and operations teams on Long Range / Annual Planning and other strategic initiatives
• Promote the Disney Cruise Line Wedding brand and build relationships through an effective sales and service strategy
• Lead initiatives to plan, strategize and optimize the VIP Services product offerings that will influence and negotiate with all internal and external contacts, identify and assess risk in addition to making recommendations to partners
• Collaboration with numerous teams across the Disney Signature Experiences and DX organization

Required Experience:

• Minimum 6 years of professional experience in group / event planning and executing experience with VIP clientele in the travel industry, utilizing data analytics to execute sales tactics and implement process improvements  Preferred minimum 3 years’ team leadership experience, both with direct reports and team members
• Proven success working with levels of leadership and support teams
• Demonstrated ability to exceed demands of various internal stakeholders
• Have extensive networking, regular attendance at industry & association events
• Possess industry knowledge and understanding of a service-based sales strategy

Required Skills:

• Strong and proven leadership and collaboration skills
• Ability to lead multiple cross-functional teams through planning process for projects and tactics
• Own the servicing of assigned ceremonies from beginning to end
• Problem solver, organizational skills and multi-task oriented
• Proficiency in basic computer functions necessary to operate in a Windows environment and other technologies used
• Ability to manage and track budgets
• Work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects with varying priorities and deadlines
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with all levels of the organization
• Ability to maintain an elevated level of confidentiality

Schedule Requirements:

• Flexibility in scheduling as necessary for a 7-day a week operation including days, weekends, nights and occasional travel

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. We are committed to building a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.